When the subject of the greatest guitarists of all time comes up, Jimi Hendrix is rarely far from the top of the list. His legacy is immortal: from Woodstock to Electric Ladyland, he redefined what an electric guitar could sound like. But not everyone bought into the legend—at least not in the way most of us do today.
Enter Ritchie Blackmore, the famously blunt and fiercely talented guitarist behind Deep Purple and Rainbow. Known for his technical precision and neoclassical flair, Blackmore has often been asked about his thoughts on Hendrix. His response? Less than glowing. In interviews, he has bluntly stated that he didn’t consider Hendrix a great guitarist. It’s a bold take, especially in an industry that treats Hendrix’s fretwork with near-religious reverence.
But does that mean Hendrix was overrated? Not so fast.
Skill vs. Soul: What’s More Important?
If music were purely about technical ability, we might still be stuck in the Baroque era, listening to symphonies and solos measured only by mathematical precision. But music—especially rock and pop—isn’t just about hitting all the right notes. It’s about feeling, storytelling, presence, and yes, coolness. David Bowie’s voice wasn’t the strongest technically, but his delivery and persona turned his songs into anthems. Bob Dylan’s guitar playing might never impress a Berklee professor, but his melodies changed the world.
Likewise, Jimi Hendrix didn’t become an icon because he could out-shred everyone. He became a legend because of how he played. His style was raw, expressive, messy at times—but full of personality and unmistakably his own.
Playing Hendrix Is Easy… Until It Isn’t
Steve Vai, one of the most technically gifted guitarists alive, once weighed in on Hendrix’s playing in an interview with Far Out. He made an important distinction: “Although learning to play a Jimi Hendrix song for most contemporary guitarists may not pose a tremendous challenge, playing them just like Jimi has never quite been achieved.”
That right there is the heart of the Hendrix mystique. Vai went on to say that Hendrix’s unique touch, sense of groove, phrasing, and ability to manage sonic chaos in creative ways made him a true innovator. “You might be able to play a Hendrix tune—maybe even note for note—but nobody can play them like Hendrix,” he emphasized.
In other words, it’s not what Hendrix played that made him great. It’s the way he played it.
Coolness Is a Skill, Too
One thing Vai didn’t explicitly call out—but which is crucial to understanding Hendrix—is his style. And not just his guitar style, but his overall vibe. Hendrix was effortlessly cool. His presence on stage, his fashion, his soft-spoken charisma—all of it became part of the Hendrix package. You can’t teach that. You can’t fake it, either.
So while Ritchie Blackmore may not have rated Hendrix’s playing by his own standards of technicality, millions of fans—and plenty of legendary musicians—would respectfully disagree.
Because in the end, Hendrix didn’t just play guitar. He was the guitar. And no one else has done it quite like him since.